Henry J. "Beanie" Keating Sr.
Henry Joseph "Beanie" Keating Sr. was born on April 15, 1920, to Helen and Daniel Joseph Keating in Camden, New Jersey. The Keatings owned a home at 110 North 23rd Street in East Camden. Daniel Keating was working as a crane operator when the census was taken in January of 1920; by the time the next census was taken in April of 1930 he had changed occupations, supporting his family as a bartender. By 1939 he had gone into the tavern business, having acquired the bar at 2000 River Road in Cramer Hill. The Keating family operated this establishment, known as Keating's Cafe, through at least 1966. The 1930 census shows Daniel and Helen Keating living at 110 North 23rd Street with their children John J., Grace, Henry J., and Frederick.
Henry Keating married Edna Mae Carey around 1942. The marriage produced five children: Daniel, Susan, Jack, Henry J. Jr., and Patrick.
The 1943 and 1947 Camden City Directories show Henry J. and Edna Keating living at 935 North 20th Street, on the same block as his father's bar. Henry J. Keating was then working as a bartender.
His older brother, John J. Keating, was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on June 30, 1949. Henry followed his brother into the department, being appointed on December 1, 1953. He reported for duty the following day and served with distinction for over twenty-five years, retiring on January 1, 1979.
While a member of the Camden Fire Department, Henry J. Keating made his home at 3316 Lemuel Avenue in East Camden. After retiring from the fire department he made his permanent home in Cape May, New Jersey, and in his last years moved to Clementon. He was quite active with the Knights of Columbus in neighboring Lindenwold. Edna Mae Keating passed away in September of 2000, and Henry J. Keating passed away on November 16, 2002.
Henry J. "Beanie" Keating — 140 North 35th Street, January 18, 1974
Captain Chester Gedrich with Firefighter Henry Keating on Ladder — January 18, 1974
Captain Chester Gedrich directs the operation as Henry Keating works from the ladder at the January 18, 1974 fire.
Service Record
Tag: henry-j-keating-sr
35th Street
35th Street runs from the Delaware River south to River Avenue, then resumes east of the Pavonia railroad switching yard and again beyond Westfield Avenue, reaching Federal Street and continuing three blocks to Highland Avenue at the Pennsauken border. It is North 35th Street above Federal and South 35th below.
23rd Street
23rd Street originates in the former Pavonia section — now Cramer Hill — and extends south to Federal Street in East Camden, noted in the 1887–1888 Camden City Directory. The James G. Blaine School stood at the southeast corner of 23rd Street and Wayne Avenue.
20th Street
Twentieth Street runs through Cramer Hill and East Camden, from Harrison Avenue to Bank Street, established by the 1887–1888 Camden City Directory. In 1954, fourteen homes with South 20th Street addresses were added when McGuire Gardens public housing was built; they were demolished and redeveloped in the 1990s.
Henry J. Keating Sr.
Obituary of Henry J. Keating Sr., formerly of Cape May and Camden, age 82, a Camden City fireman for 25 years and member of the Knights of Columbus Nativity Council #2976, Lindenwold. Camden Courier-Post, November 28, 2002.
Edna Mae Keating
Obituary of Edna Mae (nee Carey) Keating of Clementon, formerly of Camden and Cape May, age 75, beloved wife of 58 years to Henry J. Keating Sr. Camden Courier-Post, September 18, 2000.
3 Hosemen Made Fire Captains
Public Safety Commissioner E. George Aaron promoted three hosemen to fire captain and announced six new firemen — including Henry J. Keating of 3316 Lemuel Avenue, transferred from the Police Department — and two new policemen. Camden Courier-Post, November 30, 1953.